The King Taksin Shrine in Chanthaburi Province is located on Tha Luang Road, in front of the Taksin Camp. This shrine holds both historical and spiritual significance for the people of Chanthaburi and neighboring provinces. The building is octagonal in shape with a spired roof resembling a traditional royal headdress. Inside, a statue of King Taksin the Great is enshrined, allowing visitors to pay respects and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being.

 

Originally, the shrine was a small wooden structure situated beside the city pillar shrine. During the tenure of Mom Chao Saritdet Chayangkul, the governor of Chanthaburi, a new shrine was constructed in 1920 in front of the Marine Infantry Battalion, opposite the city pillar shrine. The new building was a concrete quadrilateral with stairs on three sides, designed by the Fine Arts Department. At that time, the interior housed deities associated with King Taksin, and there was no statue of the king as seen today.

 

In 1991, government officials, merchants, and the people of Chanthaburi collectively donated funds to build a new King Taksin Shrine alongside the old one. The new shrine is octagonal, constructed from marble, with a spired roof rising 16.9 meters, adorned with golden patterns, and topped with a nine-tiered golden umbrella. Inside stands a bronze statue of King Taksin the Great, seated in royal posture, with walls decorated in traditional Thai floral motifs.

 

Every year on December 28, the anniversary of King Taksin’s ascension to the throne, a merit-making ceremony and offerings are held to honor the king’s contributions in restoring Thailand’s independence.

 

The Chanthaburi City Pillar Shrine is located on Tha Luang Road, directly opposite the King Taksin Shrine. While the exact date of its construction is unknown, it is believed that King Taksin commissioned it in 1767 when he entered Chanthaburi to gather troops and supplies for the liberation of Ayutthaya. The original structure was likely made of laterite, traces of which remain today, though in a dilapidated state. A new city pillar and shrine were constructed in 1981, followed by renovations and landscaping improvements.

 

The King Taksin the Great Monument is situated in the Taksin the Great Public Park (Thung Na Choei Park) on Tha Luang Road, opposite the provincial hall. Covering approximately 300 rai, the park features a surrounding pond used by the provincial fisheries office for breeding fish. In the center of the pond stands an equestrian statue of King Taksin the Great, accompanied by his four trusted generals: Phra Chiang Ngern, Luang Phichai Asa, Luang Phrom Sena, and Luang Ratchasaneha. This monument commemorates King Taksin’s efforts to restore Thailand’s independence, with Chanthaburi serving as the strategic center for gathering troops and resources to reclaim Ayutthaya.

 

The King Taksin Shrine and Monument are not only important historical landmarks but also serve as spiritual centers for the people of Chanthaburi, symbolizing patriotism and loyalty to the monarchy. Visitors can admire the exquisite architecture, traditional Thai decorations, and participate in annual ceremonies that honor King Taksin’s legacy. These sites connect the past and present, offering insight into the king’s heroic achievements and Chanthaburi’s pivotal role in Thailand’s fight for independence.